Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: a parallel-arm randomized controlled feasibility trial.
Michele Ferreira Rodrigues, Laiana Quagliato, Jose Carlos Appolinario, Antonio E Nardi
Frontiers in Psychology 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1412483 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled feasibility trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Outpatients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, aged 18 and above, at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Intervention | online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness and meditation Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Online therapy |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combined with medication was feasible and significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in outpatients with treatment-resistant depression compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents a significant challenge, affecting approximately 30% of individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder and leading to poor treatment responses. Innovations in digital mental health, especially online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT), offer promising avenues for enhancing access to effective mental health care for individuals with TRD in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of eMBCT in an individual clinical context to decrease depressive symptoms for TRD. Conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this parallel-arm, randomized controlled feasibility trial involved outpatients diagnosed with TRD, aged 18 and above. Of the 39 outpatients invited, 28 were randomized into two groups: an intervention group receiving the eMBCT program (n = 15) and a control group (n = 13). The intervention, consisting of an 8-week course, was delivered via live video sessions. Following the assessment period, participants in the control group were offered the eMBCT intervention. Assessments using standardized questionnaires were conducted at the start and end of the study. Within the eMBCT group, improvements were observed in depression symptoms (Z = -3.423; p = 0.001; effect size r = 0.78), anxiety symptoms (Z = -3.361; p = 0.001; effect size r = 0.77), with no significant changes in the control group. Comparatively, the eMBCT group showed significant reductions in depression symptoms and improvements in clinical global impressions over the control group (BDI2: U = 30.5; p = 0.015; effect size r = 0.47, CGI1: U = 21.0; p = 0.004; effect size r = 0.56). eMBCT in an individual format combined with medication, appears to be a feasible treatment for TRD, decreasing symptoms of depression. In a future trial the control group may have a manualized intervention. The Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-6zndpbv) and RBR-6zndpbv.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Synchronous Online Group MBCT vs. Guided Asynchronous Online MBCT for Mild to Moderate Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial Mindfulness March 1, 2026
- Mindfulness in Latin America: Psychometric Insights from the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS-5) Across Four Countries European Journal of Mental Health August 3, 2026
- Synchronous online group MBCT vs guided asynchronous iMBCT in depressed sample: randomized clinical trial with a 3-month follow-up
Cites 10
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2020
- Group, One-on-One, or Internet? Preferences for Mindfulness Meditation Delivery Format and their Predictors Open Medicine Journal November 28, 2014
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in patients with depression: current perspectives Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment June 1, 2018
- Treatment of Resistant Depression: A Pilot Study Assessing the Efficacy of a tDCS-Mindfulness Program Compared With a tDCS-Relaxation Program Frontiers in Psychiatry October 23, 2019
and 5 more in the library